Part 46 (1/2)
”Thanks to her,” whispered James Denton, with a look toward Faith. She was kneeling, convulsed with sorrow, with her mother's arms about her.
No one really knew how the secret leaked out first, for the physician, acting as he thought wise, refrained from telling it openly, but Faith soon learned that Maggie's death was not natural--she had died by her own hand--it was her full and complete penance.
”It is not for us to judge,” whispered Mrs. Marvin when she heard it.
”G.o.d alone knew her thoughts,” was Faith's tearful answer.
When the news reached the store, even Mr. Denton wept. It was the end of a familiar but heart-rending tragedy.
And now it came time for Faith to change her plans--for reasons of her own she felt that she must stay behind the counter no longer.
James Denton had gone abroad, so she put him out of her thoughts as completely as possible; only a vagrant memory now and then showed her the lurking shadow of her girlish pa.s.sion.
As soon as she could she had a talk with Mr. Denton, whom she found, as usual, busily working in his office.
”See, Miss Marvin,” he said almost gayly as Faith entered the door, ”here are a dozen letters from Christian people this morning, all congratulating me on the changes in my store! I have been getting a few every day, but this is a splendid showing! Here is one,” he added, selecting an envelope, ”who even offers to put a large sum of money at my disposal just as soon as I have proven that Christianity is practicable and profitable.”
”And can you do this, sir?” asked Faith very eagerly.
A hopeful expression flitted across Mr. Denton's face.
”Mr. Gibson tells me that our business is increasing every day,” he answered slowly, ”and that the poor people are flocking in to look at our honest bargains, and you see here I have proof that the rich people are watching us.”
”Oh, I shall be so glad!--so thankful!” said Faith, with a bright smile. ”I was sure you would be rewarded for setting such a n.o.ble example! But I have come to ask a favor, Mr. Denton,” she added, softly.
”I want you to give me another position in your store instead of the one I occupy at present.”
Mr. Denton looked at her, and understood at once.
”In other words, you wish to enlarge your field of usefulness, do you not, Miss Marvin? You think you can shed the light more successfully if you have a wider scope of action.”
”That is it exactly,” was Faith's glad answer; ”but please, Mr. Denton, I don't wish any salary.”
Mr. Denton glanced up in a little surprise. He had not yet even heard of her change of fortune.
”Yes, I have money enough now to live comfortably,” she explained, ”and I can even help others, I think, a little. It came to my mother some time ago, a few thousands that were due her from her father's estate, so we are in a position to be helpful without remuneration.”
”And you will stay with me still?” asked Mr, Denton, smiling. ”You will sacrifice your liberty and your home life to stay here and labor, Miss Marvin?”
”It will be no sacrifice, I can a.s.sure you!” cried Faith, brightly, ”for I am far happier here than I would be anywhere else, I fancy!”
”Then I appoint you as general inspector of my store,” said Mr. Denton, promptly, ”and your duties are to consist of daily talks with the clerks and daily hints to me how I can improve their conditions.”
”Oh, that will be delightful!” cried Faith, excitedly, ”only I will not promise to be a very wise inspector, for I am so young that I am sadly in need of experience.”
”'The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.' I do not tremble for the results,” said Mr. Denton, smiling.
Faith went back to the department and told Miss Fairbanks of the new arrangement, and in less than an hour every clerk in the store knew it.
”Just think, she has money and yet she will stay here,” said one, ”and she is to look after our interests, which is the strangest thing about it!”